“I also expected it to be a long fight” – Bart Lemmen happy to play important role for Simon Yates & Visma at Giro d'Italia

Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia delivered fireworks on the slopes of Monte Grappa, and for Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider Bart Lemmen, it was a day to remember in the breakaway.

The 29-year-old Dutchman, who made his Grand Tour debut at the 2024 Tour de France as a late replacement for Sepp Kuss, found himself at the centre of the action once again. Speaking to Eurosport after the stage, Lemmen reflected on a hard earned day up the road.

"This was the plan and I also expected it to be a long fight. You don't get it for free here, no."

It was a tactical play by Team Visma | Lease a Bike, designed to cover multiple scenarios depending on how the GC battle played out.

“We had the idea, just like during the other escape days, to have someone ahead,” Lemmen explained. “That way you can always anticipate if it blows up, and I think that happened three times, haha. But then at least you’re there. If it doesn’t happen, it could be a day for the win.”

With the pink jersey group throwing punches behind, Lemmen was in position to react, serve as a launchpad, or even go for the stage if the dynamics allowed. While a stage win didn’t materialise, the effort proved instrumental as team leader Simon Yates strengthened his position in the general classification.

Yates, currently second overall and just 1:20 behind maglia rosa Isaac Del Toro, gained time on several rivals thanks in part to the foundation laid by Lemmen’s presence up the road. Primoz Roglic had a nightmare stage 15, losing over 90 seconds, and Yates is now in a superb position for the podium.

"The situation changed three or four times," Lemmen noted, referring to repeated attacks in the favourites group. "But in the end I waited and we did a good thing in the classification with Simon."

The erratic tempo in the peloton made for a mentally demanding day.

“It goes back and forth like that,” Lemmen described. “We really do ride on, but we weren’t riding at full speed. And if they do go all out then it’s gone again quickly. You can see that too. That’s why I take it kilometer by kilometer. And I have to be honest, I just saw the numbers… Then it’s not much thinking, but making sure you stay at the front of the race.”